Crazy Hall Names

Man, I can't wait until the Fall when the new Rock Hall nominees are announced.  Why?  Because in the month of July I saw some of the craziest names suggested for induction:
Nancy Sinatra, Joe South, Bobby Vee, Paul Anka, Big Daddy Kane.  None of these are Hall worthy.  So why are we wasting time talking about them?

The only interesting name I saw was Todd Rundgren.  He'd be a better shot at that Leon Russell Musical Excellence thing the Hall made up.  A lot of solo records, and group ones with Nazz and Utopia, but I think his overall package as Producer and performer is better than as a  performer.

Here's one for the "I Can't believe they aren't in?" category:  The Neville Brothers
As much a New Orleans institution as Dr. John.  I bet if nominated they'd go in first ballot.  They'd get a big artist vote because of Aaron Neville.  And just enough critics to sail in right away.
But they've never been nominated, and seem to have been passed over for Dr. John.
Let's talk about them.

Classic Rock AOR #3

Just got the new issue of Classic Rock AOR.  This is the third one and it is good, but not as strong as the first two.  More newer bands spotlighted here which is okay, but I want more of a focus on past names.  This has a good story on Foreigner and Chicago and the review section is strong.
Next issue is out September 28 and I'll look for that one as well.

Spotify

I'm giving the just-released Spotify a try even though I'm already paying $60 a year for Napster.  Both work the same. Although Spotify is more of a social network streaming service.  Napster is more bare bones. Spotify is free for the first 6 months, and then you pay as much a month as Napster ($5).
In other words, I'm not sure after my freebie runs out that I'll stick with one or the other.  But I'm partial to Napster.

Playlist for 7/24

Book of Mormon
Dolly Parton - Better Days
Dave Alvin -Eleven Eleven
Gillian Welch -Harrow & The Harvest
Levon Helm - Ramble at the Ryman
Joe Ely - Satisfied at Last

More Winehouse

2 albums, and a handful of guest appearances.  That's all that was officially released by Amy Winehouse.  Still, there was other stuff in the can.  Which I'm sure someone will capitalize on.  But it's a small recorded legacy.  But she did have an influence.  A lot English women took up her R&B call and have since ran with it.

Amy Winehouse

Did she waste her talent?  I'd say yes, especially when you die that young.  We shouldn't have felt selfish wanting more good music from her.  But in the end, the sad result is that she couldn't help herself.  And that is indeed worth mourning.

Goodbye Borders

I don't want to see anyone lose their jobs.  But this, as with the demise of Circuit City, could have been avoided.  I can't remember the last time I bought a book a book at Borders.  Usually I went there to look at things that interested me, came home, and then found them cheaper online.  The same with their CD's, which were ridiculously overpriced.
Circuit City had the same problem, but there's was more of a customer service one.  It was poor, and they paid for it.  Borders had good service, but they were overpriced.  In this day and age, people are looking for bargains, and Borders failed to deliver.
So, I'm sad people will lose their jobs.  Let's not blame the workforce.  Blame the suits.

Sirius

What Sirius channels do I listen to the most?
The Bridge, Garage, 70's channel, Willie's Roadhouse, Highway, XMU, Heart & Soul, Soul Town, Howard Stern, Mad Dog, Sirius Left, Today's Hits, Deep Tracks, Spectrum.
Those are the most tuned in.  I also cherry-pick other channels when I get tired of those.

The Voice

This is going to be interesting.  The new songs that the Voice finalists got to sing were, well, underwhelming.  Much like the ones the American Idol's did.  The Voice finalists have been bouncing around the biz, looking for that break.  They got in on the show.  But now they are on their own again.  Older vets and newer but not inexperienced ones.
I want to see who outlasts who by 2012. Will it be the AI or Voice singers?

Nile Rodgers

Nile Rodgers says that going in to the Rock Hall without the rest of Chic wouldn't be culturally right.  And he's correct.  My suggestion that he would have a better shot getting in solo rather than with the group was just that, a suggestion.  The Hall would never do it.
If the voters won't put Chic in, then the Hall could go the Leon Russell route, and that is through their newly minted Musical Excellence award.  Just another suggestion.
The fact is that the voters have shown more of an anti-disco era bias than the Rock Hall committee who have at least nominated both Donna Summer and Chic in the same year.  They want a Disco artist in there, but the voters are balking.

Mid-Year

Since we're about the mid-way point of the year, I can respectfully say that as far as my own year-end lists go, my #1 single has been locked for months.
My #1 album is still up in the air.  Lots of candidates, but I've yet to rally behind just one name.
Still have a few months to go, but if I had to choose a #1 today I could do it.

Chic

Nile Rodgers tweeted recently:
"Do you think the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame folks go to LIVE shows ANYMORE?"
There was a link to that tweet revolving around 20 great Irish festival memories and Chic were at #20.


Nile thinks about the Rock Hall.  Chic have been nominated 6 times, the recent one was last year.
Nile is loved by musicians, and that would have to include some that are in the Rock Hall already, who get to vote.  I've always thought if it was just his name nominated he would get in.  Not just for Chic, but for writing, producing and being an influential guitarist.
But, no, Chic continue to get overlooked, despite their vast reach into Hip-Hop, New Wave and R&B while they charted.


Their only hope may be that the Hall sneaks them in under the Musical Excellence category.  Until then, I keep my fingers crossed for them.  

Playlist for 7/14

Beyonce - 4
Queen - s/t and II                                                                                                                                        Peter Tosh - Legalize It and Equal Rights
Robert Palmer - Sneakin' Sally and Pressure Drop
CCR - s/t

Prince

Prince says he won't make any more records until the "Internet" cleans up their anti-piracy issues.  Is this a bad thing?  Prince is a concert draw now.  For years his records have featured him going through the motions.  He's no longer cutting edge.  His albums, and I've bought even the recent lukewarm ones, have a few moments, but only die-hards would defend.
He's coasting, but he'll never admit it.

MySpace

It was the place to be seen and heard.  Artists streamed their music, posted concert dates and posted info to their fans.  And fans joined the artists page.  You were invested in your favorites.
Then came Facebook.  But before that, MySpace was already troubling users.  Pages didn't get updated.  Pages were taken over by sexy ads.  Soon, fans went elsewhere to get their fix.  And Facebook was safer, cooler and easier to use.
The last time I went on MySpace I got some strange malware stuck on my computer.  Had to do a system restore to get rid of it.  Never went back to the page again.
MySpace just got sold for nothing.  A sad end to an originator.  But remember just because you are on top doesn't mean people aren't always looking for something better.

Playlist for 7/7

Beyonce - 4
Jill Scott - Light of the Sun
Weird Al - Alpocalypse
Toto - s/t
Neil Young -Treasure
Graham Nash - Songs for Beginners

Country Music Hall of Fame

In the CMA Music Festival's 40th year, we look back on who the old legends are, and who the next ones will be | Features | Nashville Scene

A very good article on how the Country Music Hall of Fame inducts their members.  Unlike the Rock Hall, the Country one is after big selling names.  Critical faves rarely get a nod.  That, of course, is the opposite of the Rock Hall where a Chicago or Moody Blues can't even get nominated.

So, while there are many artist and critic favorites that deserve a Country nod, like a Rodney Crowell, their chances pale when compared to a Country artist that sells millions.

All Of The Above

I don't know why, but every time I vote on one of Music Corner - SH Forums song polls, I find myself always picking the "all of the above" tab.  Even cheesy songs sound good to me.  Here's why.  I grew up on AM Top 40, so I have a special place in my heart for even the cheesiest of songs.